Topic: Islamism | Political Islam

Post-revolution transformation in Egypt and Tunisia

In Tunisia, members of civil society and the media may freely scrutinise the government and call for change. By contrast, writes Ishac Diwan, freedoms of expression and association are severely limited in Egypt where criticising government policies is tantamount to high treasonMore

Interview with Tunisian Secretary of State Saida Ounissi

In 2014, Saida Ounissi (29) was elected to the Tunisian Parliament as an MP for the Ennahda movement. She is currently Secretary of State to the Ministry of Vocational Training and Labour. In interview with Peter Schaefer, she describes growing up with Islamophobia and racism in France and suggests ways of preventing youth radicalisationMore

Moderate Islamism in Morocco

Although Morocco's Islamists have also taken unpopular decisions during their five years in government, this has done surprisingly little to dent their popularity. Yet their governmental record remains overshadowed by a lack of competence and experience. The Moroccan political analyst Ali Anouzla on the reasons for the Islamists' triumph More

Islam and violence

When asked what they associate with Islam, too many Germans think of violence. The accusation that Muslims have a particular affinity with violence that is motivated by their religion is not as new as some people think, in fact it is an echo of ancient Western cliches. By Bulent Ucar More

Slavoj Zizek’s exploration of Islam and modernity

Unlike most of his published work, Slavoj Zizek′s latest essay on Islam and modernity is not left-wing at all. Rather surprisingly, he is favour of restricting the mobility of refugees within Europe and defends a whole range of Eurocentric attitudes. By Tarkan Tek

Fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan

The militias of Afghan warlords have always occupied a dubious position in the life of the country. But Kabul relies on them as allies in the battle against the Taliban – a strategy, however, that is having the opposite effect. By Emran FerozMore

Pakistan and sectarianism

Pakistan′s generals blame their country′s cycle of political violence, including a recent bombing in the Baluch capital of Quetta, on groups in Afghanistan. The focus on external enemies complicates efforts to reduce political violence, ease inter-communal strains and facilitate easing of tensions with Pakistan′s neighbours. By James M. DorseyMore

Moderate or radical? Fethullah Gulen's followers inside Turkey were once widely regarded as a critical force in aiding Erdogan and his moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party in bringing the military firmly under civilian control and in weakening the firm barrier between mosque and state.More

Political Islam in Indonesia

Many Indonesians are watching with concern as religious intolerance and violence against minorities continues to escalate. But the vast majority are successfully stemming the tide of radical tendencies. By Franz Magnis-SusenoMore

Religion and politics in Morocco

In Tunisia, the Ennahda Party has announced it is decoupling its political work from ongoing efforts to establish an Islamic social model. In Morocco too, the Justice and Development Party is presenting itself as a primary advocate for the separation of both spheres. In this essay, Ali Anouzla examines what lies behind the rhetoric More

10th conference of the Tunisian Ennahda Party

The latest Ennahda party conference, held in the Tunisian town of Hammamet, revealed in both its symbolism and the new parlance used by the party a renunciation of political Islam in favour of Muslim democracy. By Ivesa LubbenMore

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Fleeing war-torn Syria, painter Majd Kara found himself in Lithuania where half the population says they refuse to help asylum-seekers. Now holding his second exhibition, Kara is changing the country's attitude. By Karolis Vysniauskas